Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead

After having visited the nearby Lorne Bar the previous day, I'd somehow concluded that they were the same establishment. Passing back through the village the following day, I'd sub-consciously noticed a second pub in Ardrishaig as I was passing on my way to Campbelltown. As I returned, I thought I'd investigate further. Neither this place nor the Lorne Bar has any sort of pub sign and no evidence of a pub name on either exterior which had led to my confusion. But returning, I found this pub open and it soon became apparent once inside that it was indeed the Argyll Arms Hotel. There is a small bar to the left as you enter and a slightly larger games room to the right with a pool table. A hallway separates the two and contains a games room. The bar also has a TV. The pub (especially the bar) does possess a bit of character and there were certainly a few characters in too. The barmaid looked as if she'd had enough of the mostly young customers she had in and was about to call last orders as I arrived shortly after 10pm on a Friday evening. The several people in were well oiled. Although I got talking (actually more like shouting) with an elderly fellow who was clearly hard of hearing. He was also in quite a jolly mood. Ardrishaig is now a cask ale free zone, in addition to being a pub sign free zone. So, the choice was Inch's, Tennent's & Belhaven Best & Belter Lager. I found this to be a slightly better pub than the Lorne Bar just along the road but it was perhaps the hour that I visited that made the difference. Visiting a pub just before closing invariable does lead to a much more different experience than shortly after opening. Either way, I wouldn't rush back.

One of numerous pubs and hotels in Argyll with the same name, this seems to be the most popular drinking venue in the home village of late Labour Party leader John Smith. Coming in from the street, it wasn’t immediately obvious where the bar was. Unlike the well signposted entrances to the restaurant and the residential areas, the bar door resembled the access to a cupboard. I wasn’t the only stranger to experience this problem, as another man appeared shortly afterwards, at the corridor window, asking where the bar was. Having found my way in, however, I discovered a very attractive, cosy, if rather small pub. A pint of Belhaven Best cost me £2.70. Loch Lomond Brewery Ale, Guinness and Tennent’s and Carling lagers are also on draught. It was busy although there were only about ten customers and it’s just a pity the limited space can’t accommodate more.